Do you have an idea that you would like to turn into a Project? Are you part of a group that wants ‘do something’? Do you have a Project that isn’t actually going anywhere? Do you waste time at endless meetings that just go round in circles and frustrate everyone? Does your group or project want to work with and involve local people? Is this working for you? Did you know that the term ‘permaculture’ can be applied to the sustainable development of ideas? [/li] Join the Development Training Programme 2011 and I’ll help you to gain the skills to move on, in a very positive way, with your idea, your group or your project.

All sessions will be in English and Bulgarian.

Workshop Programme:

No.1 June 11th and 12th - PROJECT DEVELOPMENT - This session will cover the following:

[li]What is a Project? What happens when you try to turn an idea into a Project? The basic skills of idea development Practical exercises in moving forward Identifying barriers and moving around them Measuring and evaluating the Project - establishing Point A (the beginning) and Point B (the measuring point) Recognising a Project as a part of sustainable long term development (idea development isn’t just about making one Project) Project Development as part of Bulgaria’s development. [/li]

No.2 July 2nd and 3rd - WORKSHOP FACILITATION

This session will cover the following:

[li]What’s a facilitator? Is it the same as a Trainer or a Teacher or a Group Leader? The difference between Process and Content Practical exercises in facilitating a session Basics about community involvement Practical exercises and examples in involving ‘the community’ What are the issues about community involvement in Bulgaria’s general development and it’s role as an Objective 1 country? [/li]

This session will cover the following: [li] So what goes wrong at meetings? Time management, people management and group success The basics and essential tools of Meeting Management. Practical exercises in good Meeting Management Bringing the previous two sessions’ learning into the Meeting What is the Rural Economy? Subsistence economy? Self sufficiency? Sustainable ethics? Examples and ideas of other ways of making an income from land. And lets ask the question “so why isn’t this happening in Bulgaria right now?” [/li]

No. 4 September 24th and 25th - THE EU AND BULGARIA

Being an Objective 1 member of the EU is a fantastic opportunity to really make things happen…..or it’s a one time opportunity to be squandered and lost. We’ll look at what’s happening in Bulgaria and using the example of Ireland, consider what could be happening and then let’s see what we can do about this.

The format of this session will be influenced by the debate and discussion during the previous sessions.

Community Activism is an essential part of Community and Rural Development but it is first and foremost about education and information. After almost 4 years of EU membership, virtually nothing has happened at a community level. Few people are questioning this and that is mainly because they don’t know what they should be expecting. We will share examples of good and bad behaviour in a development process and we will examine the question ‘What can we do to make sure that the people of Bulgaria do not lose out on their one and only opportunity to access funds for real, sustainable community development?’

These sessions will held in Voditsa. We are around 5hours from Sofia with a direct bus that will take you to the edge of the village. See our Travel page http://www.stjamespark.biz/travel/

Costs. Each weekend session will cost 75leva - this will include:

[li]Camping accommodation - Friday and Saturday night Food - from dinner on Friday evening to an early supper on Sunday evening Professional tuition for two days of workshop activity and training[li][/li] Book your place now - contact Kathy via this forum or by email - comeandliveinvoditsa@gmail.com